SWT: Technology Takes on Social Work

In the November/December 2010 issue of Social Work Today, there is a feature article on the fusion of social work and technology.

Let’s face it: Technology is transforming how people collect and share information and social workers who refuse to acknowledge this trend risk falling out of step with the profession. But organizations that impose data management technology without taking clinicians’ needs into account risk creating systems that bog down social work rather than enhance it.

“The technology is here. You’re going to have to use it, and it’s not going away,” says Mike Meikle, a Virginia-based IT consultant with experience serving the human services sector. “But managers can’t just implement this in a vacuum; they have to include their people in the process. You have to make sure that your users are on board and that they understand how it’s going to benefit them.”

Nevertheless, there is some resistance among social workers in adopting data management information systems in their work. Do you believe these systems benefit or burden social workers?

Rochester, NY: Libraries delivering life-saving information

I found this excellent article from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. It illustrates the ways in which libraries are helping communities -- basic literacy, employment and tutoring -- in times of great need. More importantly, they are reaching out to underserved populations.

Libraries have long been about more than books, but in the city they now deliver life support in the shape of information. Kids seek homework assistance from high school tutors. Some libraries offer adults help acquiring the basic literacy skills they need to undertake a GED program — sometimes in libraries with the help of volunteer teachers.

Adults from some of the city's poorest neighborhood find that they cannot apply for even fast-food restaurant or retail jobs without an online application, and librarians can help them establish a Yahoo or Gmail account so they can receive e-mail responses to those applications. Libraries have income tax forms, and sometimes have volunteer tax preparers available to answer questions.

"We're meeting the needs of the community," says Shelley Matthews, the northwest quadrant librarian who oversees the Lyell Avenue, Maplewood and Charlotte branches. "And those are the needs."

here is another bonus article by American Libraries magazine: 12 Ways Libraries Are Good for the Country.

Review: Careers in Sociology - Third Edition (2004)

Are you an undergraduate student wondering what can you do with a sociology degree? Are you a college graduate planning to return to graduate school soon?

Careers in Sociology -- Third Edition (2004), by W. Richard Stephens, Jr., is the latest edition in career books for sociology majors. Most college students (especially underclassmen) take sociology courses because it is often a general distribution requirement. It is also the first time they have come across sociology in their lives. This book answers the frequently-asked question, I find topics interesting, but is there anything I can do if I were to major in sociology?" The author states, "Yes, you can get a job with degree in sociology!"

This book is geared towards undergraduate students and college graduates. Each chapter contains character profiles that document the work and carers of person who chose to pursue a degree in sociology. The character profiles contain a variety of career paths (specifics about the work or career, sociological aspects of the work itself, degree preparation and requirements for employment, information on how the job was acquired, salary and future prospects). Since the character profiles are based on real-life experiences, the person's names are anonymous to protect their identity. It also contains a workbook for job seekers in sociology.

You don't have to become a professor to use your sociology degree. Sociology gives you many transferable skills. I continue to use my sociological knowledge in graduate school. I highly recommend this book to someone who is researching their future career because sociology is a very broad discipline with endless career opportunities. Sample character profiles include:

* Business
* Criminal Justice
* Education
* Evaluation Research
* Government
* Health Care
* International Relations
* Law
* Military
* Social Work
and much more!